Jason and the Argonauts

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Jason and the Argonauts

G

Released Jun 19, 1963

1h 44m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After saving the life of his royal father's usurper, Pelias (Douglas Wilmer), whom he fails to recognize, Jason (Todd Armstrong) is encouraged by the conniving murderer to begin a quest in search of the Golden Fleece. In doing so, Pelias hopes for Jason's death to thwart the prophecy that he will reclaim the throne. Along the journey, Jason is protected by the goddess Hera (Honor Blackman), and his crew includes Hercules (Nigel Green) and Acastus (Gary Raymond), a saboteur planted by Pelias.

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Critics Consensus

Don Chaffey's Jason and the Argonauts is an outlandish, transportive piece of nostalgia whose real star is the masterful stop-motion animation work of Ray Harryhausen.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

There are moments where, if asked, I may tell you that I think 1963’s Jason and the Argonauts is the greatest motion picture ever made.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 4, 2023

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Special-effects buffs generally cite this 1963 effort by Ray Harryhausen as the master's masterpiece, and his work does a great deal to enliven the tired plot and vacuous stars.

Dec 5, 2014

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

For sheer old-fashioned, childhood rekindling adventure you really can't go past it.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 27, 2012

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Remains great entertainment for kids. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 2, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Though a worthy addition to the series of fantasy films adorned with Harryhausen's animation, the characters and creatures don't make the list of his most iconic concoctions.

Rated: 5/10

Aug 24, 2020

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Nathanael Hood

Unseen Films

But what puts it over the top is a strange sense of melancholy pervading the machismo heroics.

Rated: 9/10

Apr 12, 2020

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Robert P

Masterpiece, do I have to say more?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

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David K

Sure, the film is a little clunky by modern standards but it must be viewed within an historical context. The work by Ray Harryhausen is iconic and must-see for anyone interested in special effects in the period before computer technology was employed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Alec B

Jason and the Argonauts offers a vintage epic featuring the stop-motion effects popular for its time. The film follows Jason, played by Todd Armstrong, as he leads a team of heroes on a quest for the Golden Fleece, battling everything from harpies to a towering bronze giant and, of course, the unforgettable skeleton warriors. While the acting, dialogue, and graphics are dated, the film's sheer creativity and epic scale make it a standout in the genre. It's a must-watch for fans of classic cinema and greek mythology. Common for the 60s, female characters like Medea, a powerful sorceress, are unfortunately watered down to one-dimensional eye candy without much agency in the story.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

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steve b

an absolute masterpiece, probably the greatest piece of cinematic history when talos turns his head. 100% recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/24

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Leaburn O

A ridiculous story pretty well told within the limitations of CGI of those days. It was ok to watch but just wildly dated so hard to rate higher. Watched it in Film4.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

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ANY1aBLUE

There aren't half some miserable so and so's writing these reviews. You have to judge this by the era in which it was made. At the time, the special effects were astonishing. It's comforting viewing for folks of a certain age. Harmless, memorable and terrific entertainment. There are many similar films made many years after this one that can't get anywhere near it. Sunday afternoon, miserable outside and you've got a cold? This is perfect for just that time,…..

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/24

Full Review

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Don Chaffey

Director

Todd Armstrong

Jason

Nancy Kovack

Medea

Gary Raymond

Acastus

Honor Blackman

Hera

Nigel Green

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Synopsis

After saving the life of his royal father's usurper, Pelias (Douglas Wilmer), whom he fails to recognize, Jason (Todd Armstrong) is encouraged by the conniving murderer to begin a quest in search of the Golden Fleece. In doing so, Pelias hopes for Jason's death to thwart the prophecy that he will reclaim the throne. Along the journey, Jason is protected by the goddess Hera (Honor Blackman), and his crew includes Hercules (Nigel Green) and Acastus (Gary Raymond), a saboteur planted by Pelias.

Director: Don Chaffey
Producer: Charles H. Schneer
Screenwriter: Jan Read, Beverley Cross
Distributor: Criterion Collection, Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Pictures, RCA/Columbia
Production Co: Morningside Worldwide S.A., Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 19, 1963, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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